The House In the Woods

by Marguerite O'Callaghan

  ‘I can’t imagine what you and your family are going through, Mrs Stone. I’m so sorry. The manager said that your lunch today is complimentary.’

  Barbara can barely manage a ‘thank you’ and simply nods and smiles at him through the tears. She’s grateful she doesn’t have to stay and fuss over the bill, and goes to the toilets to splash some cold water on her face before leaving. When she steps back out into the day, she is grateful for her large sunglasses too; her eyes are still burning with tears as she makes her way back to her rented flat at the top of the hill. She was hoping that Lydia would come and take a look at it with her after lunch, and maybe even help to choose some cushions and throws for the living room. But the day isn’t going the way she imagined. There are some things she can’t tell her daughter. She doesn’t want to hurt, or scare her. Lydia has enough on her plate with anxiety and panic attacks for God’s sake, and finding out about her mother’s past is not something that will help her right now.

  Lydia can’t face going home. She needs to walk, drink more, or talk to someone. She pulls her phone from her pocket and makes a call.

  ‘It’s me. She didn’t say anything.’

  ‘Baby, I’m sorry. Are you able to meet?

  ‘Yes please. Our secret place?’

  ‘Perfect, I can be there in twenty?’

  ‘Okay. See you soon. Love you.’

  If her mother can keep secrets, Lydia can too.

  3

  Jared Cooper is working on another sex-trafficking case, and liaising with Detective Thomas McCarthy again. Since Kate Stone went missing in May, the pair have worked together a few times, and grown to be on pretty friendly terms, although the Kate Stone case is no longer active.

  Jared pops his head around the open door of McCarthy’s office.

  ‘We good? I’ve got to be somewhere, so unless there’s anything else...’

  McCarthy looks tired, and yawns as he shakes his head.

  ‘Nope. I’ll email you those documents now, and I suppose we can talk again in a few days, unless you find something out about these Russian girls.’

  ‘Cool. Have a good one, mate!’

  McCarthy raises his hand in a casual wave, and watches as Jared walks awkwardly down the hall. He is so square, polite, and American, it makes McCarthy chuckle. Even the way Jared says ‘cool’ and ‘mate’ seems wrong; kind of like hearing a nun swearing. McCarthy has always imagined that Jared would be more suited to a career as a missionary, or school counsellor, not a sex crimes expert who sometimes works undercover. It’s so unbelievable, it actually works. No-one would ever guess what Jared is really trying to do; break into the UK’s sex trafficking scene from the inside, and find missing girls who’ve been forced to work as prostitutes. If this earnest, clean-living, square thing is an act, it certainly works. Jared is just the kind of guy you just trust completely and implicitly, and as far as McCarthy knows, he has no bad habits, no secret past, and he isn’t running from anything. He’s just a guy who’s passionate about a certain area of crime.

  4

  Lydia sits under the beer garden’s gazebo, smoking a cigarette. On the table in front of her are two pints of beer. Her black hood is up, and she’s wearing sunglasses; she doesn’t want anyone to recognise her, not just because of who she’s meeting, but she can’t bear the thought of anyone recognising her, looking at her with pity, or someone mentioning Kate. Her mother’s refusal to speak to her has really made Lydia angry too, and she just wants to get drunk. She hears a familiar voice call her name, and for a moment she thinks she’s been busted. But when she sees who it is, she stands up, removes her glasses, and opens her arms for a hug. Jared hugs her so tightly, that Lydia’s feet lift off the ground.

  ‘Oh my god, I’ve missed you.’

  Lydia is beaming from ear to ear. When she’s around Jared, she feels hopeful and happy again. He sees something in her that no-one else does, and he’s the kindest person she’s ever met. The problem is that Jared’s job would be in danger if anyone knew they were romantically involved, and although they’ve kissed and gone on seven or eight secret dates, things haven’t progressed from there. Lydia knows that it’s only been five weeks since they got together, but she feels like she’s in love. The first time they saw one another was at Haven, when Lydia went looking for anyone who might know her sister. That night had been an eye-opening experience for her, to say the least; she’d kissed a girl, visited an S&M dungeon, and seen all sorts of wild fetish acts. She remembers seeing Jared at the bar at one point during the night, and again just before she left. She’d turned away for a second, and then thought that maybe he was looking at her because he knew or recognised Kate. But, when she turned back, he was gone. And that was that, until a couple of months later, Lydia saw him again outside the police station in Hendon, and she just freaked out. In that moment, she was convinced that Jared had something to do with Kate’s disappearance. He had been in his car outside the station, about to drive to a meeting, but got out when he saw Lydia. She was completely manic; shouting and pointing at him, and it was another ten minutes before she believed that he was at the club that night in May because he was working on Kate’s case too. They talked, Lydia cried, and Jared texted his colleague to say he was going to be late to the meeting. Then, he listened as she opened up about her sister, her own mental health, and fears about her family. He was instantly enthralled with her; she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, never mind been around, and she seemed to like talking to him. They ended up getting a cup of tea in a cafe down the road, and talking for the next hour. She asked him to stay in touch with her and wanted his number. Jared never really worked with people like that; he was more of a background kind of guy, working undercover, and he didn’t really know what the protocol was in this situation. He guessed that he should have refused his personal number, but he wanted Lydia to have it. He also really wanted to see her again. That night, Lydia lay awake and couldn’t stop thinking about him; she wondered if the feeling would wear off by morning, but the next day it was even stronger, and she texted, asking to meet, saying she needed some confidential advice. Lydia didn’t have a plan. She didn’t need advice. All she knew was that she had to see Jared soon, to see if what she felt was real. Two days later, he walked into a pizzeria in Camden to meet her, and every single cell in Lydia’s body came alive. Their eyes met, and they could barely take them off one another for the rest of the night. Lydia knew she was in love for the first time, and Jared felt it too. He actually hadn’t stopped thinking about her since that night at Haven all those months ago, and he scolded himself that he could think about someone who was going through a tragedy in such a way. He had never done something as daring as this. He’d had a couple of relationships back home in Upstate New York, but since he’d been in the UK for the past few years, he hadn’t met anyone he liked enough to go beyond a second or third date. Plus, he was kind of married to the job. That night in Camden, he told Lydia that he was going to be thirty in a few days and instead of running away in shock at how old he was, she had begged him to let her celebrate with him. She reached out and held his hand in hers, leaned in close, and told him that she never believed in love at first sight, until now.

  ‘All I did was see you, and you never left my mind. I thought it was because I was paranoid that you knew Kate, but that wasn’t it. My heart knew you, Jared. I’m sorry if that sounds too intense. You don’t know me, but I... I don’t feel like this, usually. I mean, I’ve been numb and lost since Kate went... actually, if I’m honest, I’ve been lost for years...’

  Jared listened intently and squeezed her hand back. This was something, and he knew it. He had to see her again.

  Today, in the beer garden is another meeting that they had to have in secret. Jared longs to take Lydia to the cinema, or walk hand-in-hand with her down the Southbank, or even go somewhere decent for dinner, like a legitimate couple. But they have to meet in empty, cold beer gardens, bad Chinese restaurants, or grotty old pubs, instea
d.

  ‘Take me away for the weekend?’ she says suddenly.

  Lydia’s eyes are shining, and her heart is racing. She is desperate to spend some time alone with Jared; to kiss him, undress for him, make love to him, wake up next to him, and breathe in his morning smell. She’s fantasised so many times about a future with this man, but for starters, a romantic weekend in the Cotswolds will do nicely.

  ‘Imagine it: champagne in bed, room service, walks in the countryside. There are some really nice spa hotels...’

  Jared smiles, and nods his head slowly. How can he say no to this girl?

  ‘Can we? Seriously?’

  Lydia is almost squealing.

  ‘Oh my god, when? I can go this weekend, can you?’

  Jared stops smiling.

  ‘Hang on. Hang on, okay? I need to sort some things out, and I definitely can’t this weekend.’

  Lydia’s face drops in disappointment, and she looks away. It’s not like her to be stroppy, but she wants this weekend away more than anything.’

  ‘I promise I will take you away to a beautiful hotel and it’ll be perfect, and you can have as much champagne and room service as your heart desires, Lydia Stone.’

  His sweet talking has worked, and Lydia is smiling again.

  ‘I like it when you call me that, Jared Cooper.’

  5

  Kate isn’t expecting to see Melvin or Christine until this evening. She’s already had her morning meal, and they’ve emptied the toilet bucket too. Her stomach turns, almost in synchronicity with the turn of the key in the lock. Melvin sometimes does this when the mood takes him; comes down here in the middle of the day to have his way with her. But he seems different today, and when he comes in, he greets her with a tone that’s almost enthusiastic. Maybe he doesn’t want sex, Kate thinks to herself.

  ‘Hello there!’

  ‘Hi Melvin’

  Kate is surprised at just how flat and monosyllabic her voice sounds. But she can’t help herself; he sickens her. She notices he’s carrying a small paper bag, and as he sits next to her on the mattress, he hands it to her, and tells her to open it. Inside, is a pregnancy test.

  ‘You know what to do with that, right?’

  Kate looks from the box to Melvin, and back again. She nods and stares at it

  ‘You haven’t bled in a while, have you?’

  Kate had missed most of her periods since she was captured, and assumed that the conditions in the basement, lack of daylight, and poor nutrition mean that there is no way she could conceive. If Melvin is right, and she is carrying a baby, his baby, things would maybe change around here. This is why he took her in the first place. He said she ‘owed’ him a child, and the baby was going to be the next messiah, and save the world. He unties her hands, and tells her to urinate on the stick so he can see what she’s doing, and Kate gets up to go to the bucket. When she’s done, she hands the stick back to him. Kate tilts her head to read the instructions on the side of the box.

  ‘We have to wait, see if lines appear.’ she tells him. As they wait, Kate realises for the first time what it would mean for her to be pregnant. Melvin had told her about the prophecy his father had on the ranch, all those years ago, and how it was Kate’s own mother that was believed to be the one that would give birth to the new leader. Kate had spent many hours wondering how her mother had hidden this from everyone for over two decades, and how she escaped from Melvin and the others. All Kate had known when she was growing up, was that Barbara had a religious upbringing in the States, and her family moved around a lot. She said that her parents had died when she was a teenager, and she and her sister Jane went their separate ways, and led very different lives after that. Kate had seen photographs of her mum from the eighties, and she looked happy. Now, Kate knew that she was most likely involved in some sort of cult at that time, and was obviously a prisoner there. Kate sees her mother as a different person now; almost a stranger. Kate feels like she has no idea who her mum really is, and where she has really come from. It’s also strangely comforting. Her mother knew Melvin, had probably been held captive by him and his father all those years ago, and now Kate is going through something similar. It gave her a strange hope that there could be a life after this, and perhaps she could use this pregnancy as a way to prove to Melvin she is not like her mother. It might also mean she would have more freedom, food, and comfort.

  ‘What does that mean?’ Melvin asks, when the two pink lines appear.

  ‘Is that? Are you pregnant, or not?’

  Melvin is on his feet, and staring expectantly at Kate. She picks up the stick and examines it for a few seconds.

  ‘Yes. I’m pregnant, yes!’

  She can hardly believe it, but she is actually happy, and can feel a smile on her face for the first time in five months. Kate’s mind immediately begins to envisage the baby growing inside of her, and she places one hand on her stomach. It actually feels like she is slightly swollen already. That must mean she was at least a couple of months into the pregnancy, surely? How did she not notice this? Melvin is talking quickly and excitedly. He walks up the three steps to the basement door entrance, and shouts out for Christine to come quickly. He never leaves that door open, and in the thirty or forty seconds that it takes for Christine to get there, Kate enjoys a glimpse of natural light and clean air. Christine arrives out of breath.

  ‘Sorry Melvin, I was changing the bed sheets.’

  ‘Don’t worry about that now, Christine. We have some news! The girl is pregnant, like I thought, with MY child, and you know what this means, don’t you?’

  Christine looks amazed. Her mouth hangs open in surprise, and she looks at Kate and smiles. Then, she makes her way to her, kneels down, and places one hand gently on Kate’s stomach, then strokes her cheek gently.

  ‘You clever, clever girl. This is what we brought you here for, and now you’ve gone and done it!’

  Kate did not expect this. How could these two monsters change their attitudes so quickly? They kidnapped her, raped her, barely fed her, allowed her to fester in her own excrement for months, and now they decide to treat her with respect because she has something inside of her, they think is theirs? Melvin has started rambling again, and is talking about moving Kate into the house when it’s been secured properly. Christine chimes in that she’ll make sure there are fresh vegetables and fruit every day, and will pick up some vitamins from the pharmacy this afternoon. The couple are nodding, smiling, and at times clapping their hands in excitement, as Kate looks at them. Then, Melvin stops speaking, and turns to her. His face changes, and his brow becomes furrowed.

  ‘Your life of sin. We must not forget that. You need to repent, and promise never to return to it. You belong to God, and the rest of your life must be dedicated to him. You, a sinful prostitute, have been granted this gift, even in light of all that you have done. You will give birth to the most holy, most divine soul. Now, bow your head!’

  Kate doesn’t even flinch, and although Melvin’s voice is terrifying, she bows her head and joins her hands in prayer. If they need to believe she’s the next Virgin Mary, she’ll do her damn best to play the part. This new life inside of her could be her ticket to freedom. Melvin and Christine start whispering again about shopping and blankets, or something similar, and Kate watches them for a moment, but her eyes are quickly drawn to the open basement door behind them, and the daylight beyond it. In the distance, she can hear birdsong, and she knows there will be a way out.

  6

  ‘Forgive me father for I have sinned. It has been... many, many years since my last confession.’

  Barbara doesn’t know who else to turn to. She has driven all the way to Mill Hill, to an old catholic church, and hopes that she won’t see anyone she knows here.

  ‘Father, I have lied to my family, to everyone, all of my life. I’m not the wife, or the mother I pretend to be. I’ve done some terrible things. The worst type of sins, Father.’

  ‘My child, tell me what your sins are.
That is the only way you can have forgiveness.’

  Barbara is crying, and the priest bows his head, allowing her a moment to compose herself. She wipes her face and takes a breath. He continues:

  ‘Our loving father forgives all. Remember that. But you must come to him with an open heart, and acknowledge what you have done.’

  Barbara’s mind flashes to a time she has longed to forget: the day at the quarry. Barbara is sixteen years old. The light is blinding, her throat is dry, she hasn’t slept in days, and she’s almost forgotten her own name. Her legs are heavy, and a strange pain runs down the right side of her body; from her pelvis to her knee. She has an infection after being raped repeatedly for about a week. Now that her father is dead and her mother is ill, there’s no-one to protect her. The little girl next to her has gone mad. She’s several years younger than Barbara, probably only twelve or thirteen, and she’s wearing a faded blue cotton blouse, but her bottom half is completely naked. Her hair has been chopped off or pulled out in places, and her scalp is bald and bloody. Both of her eyes are swollen and purple, her face smeared with dirt, and her lips dry and caked in blood. She’s moaning, pulling at Barbara’s skirt, and trying to grab her; the tiny slits of her eyes show a desperate soul, begging for help. Barbara thinks the girl has probably been passed around for several weeks. It’s so shocking to see that Barbara cannot bear to look at her. She’s powerless to help anyway. The girl’s cries are growing more and more awful; guttural and low, like they are coming from a creature of some kind. Suddenly, one of the larger men from the group pulls Barbara and the girl close to the edge of the quarry by the scruff of their necks. Barbara is paralysed with fear, and tries to move as little as possible, although she’s struggling to breathe. The man tells them both to look down at the other girls who ended up in the pit at the bottom, and Barbara can make out what looks like a few bodies. But it’s hard to see that far down, and the dust and dizziness could be playing tricks with her eyes. Then the man leans down to say something into her ear. She trembles, sure that he is about to fling her over the edge any second. Instead he says: